kfiatos Machine would still be mediocre quality but at least steam tap would stop leaking all the time.
I don’t follow this. I don’t understand why you think the Elizabeth is of mediocre quality. It definitely isn’t.
I had my Elizabeth now for the third year. Nothing is broken, and everything is still working as new, including the steam tap. No leaks. But then again I use good water which I remineralise myself, never descaled the machine.
I keep thinking of upgrading it. However, when I put down on paper the requirements I want: compact, easy maintenance, quick heat up time, good steam power, precise temp control… I don’t think there are many machines out there rivaling it.
Having had other machines and having had coffee from many other machines, honestly, the Elizabeth is a machine way up there.
If the problem you have is the steam tap, and you fox it and the problem comes back, either you are doing something you shouldn’t or whoever is fixing it is not replacing the right part.
My two cents.
But ultimately, you have to be happy with the machine you have.